Damiana

Identity

Common Name

Damiana

Scientific Name

Turnera diffusa

Botanical Family

Passifloraceae

Native Region

Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean

Cultivation Regions

Mexico, Central America, Texas, Caribbean

Plant Parts Used

Leaves, Aerial parts

Synonyms

Mexican Damiana, Turnera, Old Woman's Broom

Caffeine Level

Caffeine Free

A small aromatic shrub 0.5-2 m tall with toothed ovate leaves, small yellow five-petalled flowers, and a woody branching stem; the leaves and stems are dried for tea.

Historical Background

Damiana has been used in Mexican, Maya, and Aztec traditions for centuries as a mood, vitality, and romance tonic. Its aromatic leaves were fermented into a liqueur still enjoyed today, and brewed into a sweet, warming tea prized in Central American culture.

Earliest recorded uses: Mexican and Maya traditions; adopted into 19th-century Eclectic medicine as a tonic and aphrodisiac.

Traditional Uses

These uses document historical traditions and do not imply proven effectiveness.

Flavor & Aroma

Aroma: Sweet, aromatic, herbal, slightly spicy

Tea Information

Research Summary

Damiana has a long tradition as a mood and romantic tonic. Clinical evidence is insufficient; small preclinical studies suggest possible effects on mood and libido, but it is not a treatment for sexual dysfunction, depression, or any condition.

Evidence levels reflect the currently available scientific literature and may change as new research emerges. Where evidence is limited or conflicting, this is stated plainly.

References & Sources